Operating device and moving apparatus including operating device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides techniques relating to an operating device exhibiting superior dust resistance and water resistance, and more particularly to an operating device exhibiting few design restrictions and a small assembly operation load, and to a moving apparatus including the operating device. 
     In an operating device having, in a casing, a detection unit for detecting input relating to an instruction to operate a driving device that drives movement of an object, a plurality of the detection units are arranged over a partial or entire range of a circumference of the casing in accordance with movement directions of the object.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an operating device capable of issuingan instruction to operate a driving device that drives movement of anobject and manipulating a movement direction (including a movementazimuth, bearing, and so on; likewise hereafter with respect to thepresent invention and the present specification) of the object, andrelates to a moving apparatus that includes the operating device.

BACKGROUND ART

An operating device capable of issuing an instruction to operate adriving device that drives movement of an object and manipulating amovement direction of the object when an operator modifies a relativerotation amount between a casing of a first device element and a casingof a second device element, and a moving apparatus including thisoperating device, are available in the prior art (Patent Documents 1 and2).

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No.    2007-39232-   Patent Document 2: WO 2008/099611 A1

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In the conventional operating device described above, however, a gapexists between the casing of the first device element and the casing ofthe second device element. When this gap exists, dust and water are morelikely to enter through the gap and have an adverse effect on anelectronic substrate and electronic components provided in the casing.

Further, when the operator holds the conventional operating devicedescribed above in the hand, the casing of the first (or second) deviceelement and the casing of the second (or first) device element arenormally disposed on an upper side and a lower side, respectively, andtherefore a weight balance of the operating device, disposal positionsof operating buttons, and so on must be designed comprehensively fromthe viewpoint of user-friendliness for the operator. Furthermore, whencomponents are allocated to the respective casings while taking intoaccount the weight balance, ease of assembly is likely to be impaired.

The present invention has been designed in consideration of the problemsdescribed above, and a first object thereof is to provide an operatingdevice exhibiting superior sealing properties (dust resistance and waterresistance, for example). Another object is to provide an operatingdevice having few design restrictions and a small assembly operationload, and a moving apparatus including the operating device.

Solution to Problem

The present invention is an operating device including a detection unitfor detecting input relating to an instruction to operate a drivingdevice that drives movement of an object, and a casing, wherein aplurality of the detection units are arranged over a partial or entirerange of a circumference of the casing in accordance with movementdirections of the object.

The operating device preferably includes a jacket member that covers thedetection units.

The jacket member is preferably capable of rotating around thecircumference of the casing at least within the range in which thedetection units are arranged.

An input unit for inputting the input is preferably provided on thejacket member.

The operating device preferably includes a small adjustment inputdetection unit for detecting input relating to an instruction to correctthe movement direction of the object.

The casing preferably includes: an interior casing having a surface onwhich the detection units are provided; and an exterior casing thataccommodates the interior casing, is formed to be free to rotaterelative to the interior casing on an outer side thereof, and has aninner surface on which a reference member that serves as ON meansrelative to the detection units on the interior casing is provided.

According to the constitutions described above, the interior casing ishoused inside the exterior casing, and therefore the operator can modifythe movement direction simply by rotating the exterior casing such thatthe exterior casing is rotationally displaced relative to the interiorcasing on the inside thereof. Hence, the movement direction of theobject can be modified by the operator through a sensory operationwithout the need to check a precise bearing, such as east, west, south,or north, and therefore modification of the movement direction can belearned easily. Moreover, although two casings are provided, the twocasings are not connected in a length direction or a longitudinaldirection, and therefore an operating device exhibiting a superiorweight balance can be provided.

Furthermore, the movement direction can be modified by detecting therelative rotational displacement between the respective casings on theoutside and the inside, thereby eliminating the need to install acomplicated, expensive, and weighty component such as a rotary encoder.

Moreover, electric and electronic components housed in the interiorcasing are covered by a double-layer casing, leading to greatimprovements in water resistance and dust resistance.

An illuminating device for forming a light spot is preferably disposedin a location exposed to the exterior of the casing on a surface thatcorresponds to an opposite side to an operator, as a notification unitfor providing notification of a travel direction of a traveling bodythat is moved by the driving device.

According to this constitution, the operator is notified anew of thedirection in which the traveling body is heading by the light spotduring an operation. Therefore, the operator can perform an operationsafely and reliably while checking the content of the notification.Furthermore, the operator can keep an eye on a moving directiondestination of the traveling body or the object moved by the travelingbody and peripheral people (people around the operator), and thereforeaccidents can be forestalled. Moreover, the people around the operatorcan learn the direction in which the traveling body is heading, or inother words the direction of the moved object, from the notificationprovided by the notification unit without checking a display on adisplay unit, and can therefore detect danger to themselves caused bythe approach of the traveling body or the object early.

Further, since a light spot is used as the notification means, themovement direction of the traveling body or the object moved by thetraveling body, instructed by the operator using the operating device,is illuminated by light emitted from the operating device. As a result,the operator and the people around the operator can recognize themovement direction visually or intuitively.

A display unit for displaying, in a visually comprehensible manner,information relating to a displacement amount when an orientation of theobject moved by the driving device is modified or information relatingto an advancement direction of the object is preferably fixed to atraveling body that travels together with the object, in at least aregion excluding an outer surface of the casing.

According to this constitution, the display unit is disposed in a highposition within an operating space, and therefore a field of vision ofthe operator and/or the people around the operator viewing the displayunit is not blocked by the object moving through the operating space,objects disposed in the operating space, and so on. As a result, theoperator can perform operations quickly, reliably, and safely. Morespecifically, the display unit is disposed on the traveling bodytraveling along a Y direction rail, and therefore the operator and/orthe people around the operator can grasp or predict the movementdirection of the object and the behavior of the driving device from thedisplay unit moving together with the traveling body. Hence, theoperator and/or the people around the operator can understand apositional relationship between themselves and the moving object andobtain a sense of distance intuitively and easily.

The present invention is a moving apparatus including a driving devicethat drives movement of an object and an operating device that issues aninstruction to operate the driving device, wherein the operating deviceis the operating device according to any of first to eighth aspects.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT OF INVENTION

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the pluralityof detection units for detecting input relating to an instruction tooperate the driving device that drives movement of the object arearranged over a partial or entire range of the circumference of thecasing in accordance with the movement directions of the object, andtherefore, when an instruction relating to the movement direction of theobject is issued, it is sufficient for the detection unit correspondingto that movement direction to detect the input relating to theinstruction. Hence, according to the first aspect, the operating devicedoes not have to be constituted by two casings capable of relativerotation, as in the prior art, and therefore a gap is not formed betweenthe two casings. As a result, an operating device that exhibits superiordust resistance and water resistance, and in particular an operatingdevice having a simplified structure, can be realized.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the jacketmember that covers the periphery of the plurality of detection unitsarranged over a partial or entire range of the circumference of thecasing of the operating device is provided, and therefore an operatingdevice that exhibits even more superior dust resistance and waterresistance can be realized (second aspect). In this case, at least thepart of the jacket member covering the plurality of detection units maybe constituted by a material that is soft enough to deform under digitalpressure from the operator so that the operator can perform an operationeasily. Further, by attaching button members to the jacket member, theoperator can input an instruction (an instruction to operate the drivingdevice that drives movement of the object) on each of the plurality ofdetection units by pressing the button members from the exterior of thejacket member toward the casing.

Note that the button member is a typical example of the input unit forinputting input relating to the instruction to operate the drivingdevice that drives movement of the object (fourth aspect).

By making the jacket member capable of rotating around the circumferenceof the casing at least within the range in which the detection units arearranged, the need to dispose the aforesaid part to be constituted by asoft material or the aforesaid button members around or on all of theplurality of detection units arranged around the casing is eliminated,and therefore the number of parts to be constituted by a soft materialor button members can be reduced (third aspect).

Further, by attaching the jacket member rotatably around a part or allof the circumference of the casing, the casing and the jacket member canbe used respectively as casings of first and second (or second andfirst) device elements provided in a conventional operating device. Inthis case, however, only a few or substantially no electronic componentsneed to be attached to the jacket member, and therefore increases instructural complexity and component number (depending on theapplication) relative to a conventional operating device do not occur.Hence, only a casing main body around which the jacket member is wrappedneed be designed specially, enabling a reduction in an assembly load(third aspect).

Note that in a case where the jacket member is attached rotatably to thecircumference of the casing such that the casing and the jacket memberare used respectively as the casings of the first and second (or secondand first) device elements provided in a conventional operating device,a gap formed between the jacket member and the casing causes problems.With this constitution, however, a gap of this type is not formed, andtherefore improved dust resistance or water resistance can be realizedin comparison with a conventional device (described below).

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, thesmall adjustment input detection unit for detecting input relating to aninstruction to correct the movement direction of the object is provided,and therefore a more precise instruction can be issued in relation tothe movement direction of the object. More specifically, by setting themovement direction of the object roughly by having the operator input aninstruction (an instruction to operate the driving device that drivesmovement of the object) into the plurality of detection units arrangedaround the circumference of the casing of the operating device and thenmaking a small adjustment, more accurate positioning can be performed(fifth aspect). This is advantageous in a case where each of theplurality of detection units arranged around all or a part of thecircumference of the casing of the operating device is large, meaningthat a larger number of detection units cannot be disposed and that themovement direction of the object cannot therefore be set finely.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a moving apparatusincluding the operating device having the features described above canbe realized. A conveyance apparatus such as a crane serves as arepresentative example of the moving apparatus according to the presentinvention, but the moving apparatus according to the present inventionis not limited to either a crane or other conveyance apparatuses.

Note that in the present invention, the “detection unit” denotes amechanism or means (a sensor, an element, a switch, and so on) having afunction for detecting input relating to an instruction to operate thedriving device that drives movement of the object, and as long as themechanism or means exhibits this function, any system or type (forexample, a contact system, a non-contact system, an electromagneticinduction system, an electrostatic capacitance system, a waterprooftype, a dustproof type, and so on) and any disposal method (for example,vertical disposal, horizontal disposal, diagonal disposal, zigzagdisposal, mosaic form disposal, a mixture thereof, a method of arrangingtwo or more mechanisms or means within a fixed range or covering thefixed range with the mechanisms or means, and so on) may be employed asthe “detection unit”.

In the present invention, the “input unit” denotes a member, acomponent, or the like having a function for inputting input relating tothe instruction to operate the driving device that drives movement ofthe object, and as described above, a button member such as a pushbutton, a panel surface of a touch panel, and so on serves as arepresentative example thereof. In certain cases, an operating switch onwhich the operator issues an instruction to operate the driving devicethat drives movement of the object using the operating device may beformed by a combination of the detection unit and the input unit.Depending on the application of the present invention, an operatingswitch of this type is also included in the “detection unit”.

Further, in the following description, a collection of a plurality, ortwo or more, detection units may be referred to as a “detection unitgroup” to differentiate the collection from a single detection unit.However, the “detection unit group” need not appear outwardly to includea plurality of detection units, and even when, at first glance, only asingle detection unit appears to be present, as long as this singledetection unit (for example, a detection unit in which a plurality ofpressure sensitive elements are surface-distributed, a detection unitformed by arranging a plurality of detection units of this type, wherethe detection unit serves as a single unit, and so on) exhibitssubstantially equivalent functions to a collection of a plurality ofdetection units, the single detection unit corresponds to the “detectionunit group”.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall constitution of anoverhead crane serving as a moving apparatus according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a structure of a hoist serving as an elevatorof the overhead crane serving as the moving apparatus according to thisembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing constitutions of main parts and anelectric configuration of a moving apparatus according to a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a constitution of an operating device accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a constitution of an operating device accordingto a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view showing a constitution of an operating device accordingto a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a constitution of an operating device accordingto a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view showing a constitution of an operating device accordingto a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a constitution of an operating device accordingto a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a view showing a constitution of an operating deviceaccording to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a basic constitution of a ringshaped detection unit provided in the operating device according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a basic constitution of another ringshaped detection unit provided in the operating device according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a basic constitution of another ringshaped detection unit provided in the operating device according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a basic constitution of another ringshaped detection unit provided in the operating device according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 15 is a view showing a constitution of a modified example of theoperating device according to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a side view showing an example of a display unit of themoving apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a front view showing an example of the display unit of themoving apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing another schematic constitutionalexample of a reference position adjustment mechanism of the operatingdevice used in the overhead crane serving as the moving apparatusaccording to this embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a pattern diagram showing the constitution of the referenceposition adjustment mechanism shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a time chart schematically illustrating a reference positionadjustment method employed by the reference position adjustmentmechanism shown in FIG. 16; and

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating processing of respective constituentunits during execution of the reference position adjustment methodemployed by the reference position adjustment mechanism shown in FIG.16.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail below with reference to the attached drawings. In the followingdescription, the drawings will be referred to as necessary, butidentical reference numerals will be allocated to identical,corresponding, or shared parts in the drawings and description thereofwill be partially omitted. Note that the embodiments to be describedbelow are preferred specific examples of the present invention, andalthough various preferred technical limitations are applied thereto,the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodimentsunless specific description limiting the present invention is provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall constitution of anoverhead crane serving as a moving apparatus according to an embodimentof the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view showing a structure of ahoist serving as an elevator of the overhead crane serving as the movingapparatus according to this embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an overhead crane 1 serving as the moving apparatusaccording to this embodiment includes travel rails 2A, 2B constituted byat least a pair of X direction rails disposed parallel to an X directionat a predetermined interval close to a ceiling of a building. A pair ofsaddles 3A, 3B are provided in contact with the respective X directionrails 2A, 2B via wheels so as to travel in the X direction. A cranegirder 10 serving as a Y direction rail disposed in a Y directionperpendicular to the X direction is provided between the saddles 3A, 3B.A traveling body 9 that moves along the crane girder 10 in the Ydirection and includes a hoist for lifting and lowering a package or thelike in a Z direction perpendicular to both the X and Y directions isalso provided.

More specifically, the traveling body 9 is a mobile elevator formed byfixing a hook 7 serving as a moving body to a tip end of a supportingwire rope 6 wound onto the traveling body 9.

Hence, the overhead crane 1 is formed by laying the crane girder 10laterally substantially perpendicular to the travel rails 2A, 2B so thatthe traveling body 9 having the hook 7 on its tip end moves along thecrane girder 10. Therefore, the overhead crane 1 is suitable for use asthe moving apparatus according to the present invention, which centerson a three-dimensional moving mechanism including a Z axis motor formoving the hook 7 serving as the moving body in an up-down direction,and an X axis motor and a Y axis motor for moving the hook 7 in ahorizontal plane.

A flexible but not twistable communication cable 8 serving as anelongated member hangs down from the traveling body 9 to the vicinity ofa floor surface, and a lower end of the communication cable 8 isconnected to an operating device 3 having a casing 31 (described below)that does not displace rotationally relative to the communication cable8.

Here, the flexible but not twistable communication cable 8 is formed bybuilding a communication line into a flexible but not twistable cabletube and electrically connecting the resulting component to theoperating device 3. More specifically, a metal flexible conduit and aresin-covered metal flexible conduit prescribed by JIS-C8309, forexample, may be used as the “flexible but not twistable cable tube”. APlicatube (product name) or a Waterproof Plicatube (product name),manufactured by Sankei Manufacturing Co., Ltd., for example, may beused.

As shown in FIG. 2, the traveling body 9 includes a pair of wheels 14provided so as to sandwich the crane girder 10 such that when the wheels14 are driven to rotate by a traversing motor (the Y axis motor) 13, thetraveling body 9 performs a traversing motion along the crane girder 10.A hoist main body 17 is supported by a support member 15 so as to hangdown from the traversing unit, and a hoisting motor (the Z axis motor)16 for hoisting or uncoiling the supporting wire rope 6 is attached tothe hoist main body 17.

A travel wheel and a travel motor (the X axis motor), not shown in thedrawings, are provided on each of the saddles 3A, 3B that travel overthe travel rails 2A, 2B while supporting either end of the crane girder10 shown in FIG. 1. Further, a motor driving control circuit for drivingthe X axis motor, a Y axis motor 42, and a Z axis motor 29 in accordancewith an operation of the operating device 3 is built into the hoist mainbody 17 shown in FIG. 2. The motor driving control circuit will bedescribed in detail below.

In this embodiment, a display unit for displaying an orientation of theoperating device 3 or an advancement direction of the aforementionedobject is provided in a location within a field of vision of anoperator, i.e. in a region excluding respective surfaces of the casing31 of the operating device 3.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a display unit 100 is constituted by a directiondisplaying device and illustrated as a planar display panel. As will bedescribed below, however, the display unit may take other forms in orderto secure a wider viewing range. The display unit 110 displays adirection in which the traveling body 9 travels in response to a commandfrom the operating device 3 in characters or symbols of as large a sizeas possible to enable viewing by people in a wide range. Light, sound,different colors in the case of color display, alphabetic characters,and so on may be selected appropriately as a method employed by thedisplay unit 100 to provide notification of the direction.

The display unit 100 is preferably disposed on the ceiling or in anotherhigh location to enable viewing from a wide range. When applied to anoverhead crane, for example, the display unit 100 may be disposed in anappropriate location of the crane girder 10 where collisions with thetraveling body 9 do not occur. If disposed on the crane girder 10, thedisplay unit 100 is preferably disposed on the crane girder 10 in thevicinity of a central portion in a lengthwise direction of the cranegirder 10 (as long as collisions with the traveling body 9 do not occurin that location). The crane girder 10 serves as a movement path of thetraveling body 9, and therefore, by disposing the display unit 100 onthe crane girder 10, the operator paying attention to the movement ofthe traveling body 9 and people around the operator can view the displayunit 100 easily and grasp the location of the traveling body 9 quicklyeven if the traveling body 9 momentarily disappears from sight.

In this embodiment, as is evident from FIG. 2, a stay 101 is fixed to anupper surface of the hoist main body 17 forming the traveling body 9,and the display unit 100 is attached to the stay 101 such that a displaysurface 103 thereof is oriented downward. Note that a reference numeral102 denotes a driving circuit of the display unit 100.

When the display unit 100 is applied to an overhead crane disposed in alarge facility, the display unit 100 is preferably disposed on thetraveling body 9, or in other words the crane girder 10, and morepreferably fixed to the vicinity of the lengthwise direction center ofthe crane girder 4. It is dangerous to follow the display unit 100moving together with the traveling body 9 through the large facilitycontinuously with the eyes, and therefore, by fixing the display unit100 in a fixed position, this danger is reduced.

Note that the display unit 100 may be provided singly or in a plurality.For example, another display unit 100 a may be provided in a managementoffice, not shown in the drawings, located away from the overhead crane.Thus, a facility manager can also grasp current crane movement, which isconvenient for management purposes.

Further, the plurality of display units 100 may be disposed in locationsother than the management office and the outer surface of the operatingdevice 3, such as a factory ceiling, a factory column, a factory wallsurface, and so on, i.e. any location enabling viewing by people aroundthe operator.

Furthermore, a display content of the display unit is not limited toshapes and colors, and instead, or additionally, a guide unit thatprovides notification of the traveling direction of the traveling body 9on the crane using sound may be provided so that the operator and thepeople around the operator can be provided with this informationaurally.

A constitutional example of the display unit 100 will be described indetail below.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing constitutions of main parts and anelectric configuration of a moving apparatus according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

[Constitutions of Main Parts]

As shown in the drawing, a moving apparatus 1 includes a driving device2 and the operating device 3 for operating the driving device 2. Thedriving device 2 includes a driving motor 4 and a motor driving controldevice 5 for controlling the driving motor 4. The driving motor 4includes an X axis motor 41, a Y axis motor 42, and a Z axis motor 43,and thereby serves as a driving force source for moving the objectthree-dimensionally. The motor driving control device 5 includes aninverter or a contactor 51 for issuing drive signals to the X axis motor41 and the Y axis motor 42, an inverter or a contactor 52 for issuing adrive signal to the Z axis motor 43, and a microcomputer 53 forcontrolling the inverter or contactor 51 and the inverter or contactor52. The microcomputer 53 includes an input end portion 54 to which anoperation signal from the operating device 3 is transmitted.

A power supply 6 supplies power required to operate the operating device3, the driving motor 4 (the X axis motor 41, Y axis motor 42, and Z axismotor 43), the motor driving control device 5, and so on. In FIG. 3, thepower supply 6 is disposed on an exterior of the casing 31 of theoperating device 3, but all or a part of the power required to operatethe operating device 3 may be supplied from an internal power supply 61,represented by a battery, provided inside the casing 31.

The display units 100, 100 a described with reference to FIG. 1 areconnected to the microcomputer 53. The constitution and functions of thedisplay units 100, 100 a will be described in detail below.

The operating device 3 includes the casing 31, which can be held in thehand of the operator operating the moving object, and the casing 31includes an input unit operated by the operator, a detection unit 32that detects an instruction (also referred to hereafter as “operationinput”) to operate the driving device 2, which is issued by the operatorvia the input unit, a microcomputer 33 that processes a signal from thedetection unit 32 and generates an operation signal, and an output endportion 34 that outputs the operation signal to the input end portion54.

There are no particular limitations on a control system employed by themicrocomputer 53 to control the inverter or contactor 51, and an analogsystem, a multispeed system, or another system may be used. Further,there are no particular limitations on a communication system employedbetween the microcomputer 33 and the microcomputer 53. There are also noparticular limitations on a signal transmission system employed betweenthe output end portion 34 and the input end portion 54, and either awireless system or a wired system may be used. When a wired system isemployed, a communication cable is provided between the output endportion 34 and the input end portion 54 to connect the two end portions,and when a wireless system is employed, the respective end portionsinclude transmitting means and receiving means forming a pair therewith.

Further, the operating device 3 preferably includes an illuminating unit20 a as notifying means. More specifically, the microcomputer 53 isconnected to the illuminating unit 20 in order to indicate the directionof an advancement path of the traveling body 9. The illuminating unit 20a will be described in detail below.

[Detection Unit and Input Unit]

The detection unit 32 includes (1) an elevator input detection unit 321(a hoisting input detection unit 321 a and a lowering input detectionunit 321 b) for detecting operation input relating to an elevationmovement of the object, (2) a detection unit group 322 constituted by aplurality of detection units arranged around all or a part of acircumference of the casing 31, wherein individual detection units 322a, 322 b, 322 c, . . . are associated in advance with movementdirections of the object, (3) one or more detection units 323 fordetecting operation input relating to activation, reactivation,stopping, resetting, and so on of the driving device 2, operating device3, power supply 6, and so on (including a detection unit 323 a fordetecting operation input relating to an emergency stop, a detectionunit 323 b for detecting operation input relating to resetting, and adetection unit 323 c for detecting operation input relating to powersupply ON/OFF; also referred to hereafter either individually orcollectively as an “activation-related input detection unit”), (4) adetection unit 324 for detecting operation input for making smalladjustment or corrections to the movement direction of the object(including a detection unit 324 a relating to small adjustments in apredetermined direction and a detection unit 324 b relating to smalladjustments in an opposite direction; also referred to hereafter eitherindividually or collectively as a “small adjustment input detectionunit”), (5) a detection unit 325 for detecting operation input relatingto special functions (also referred to as a “special input detectionunit” hereafter), and (6) a driving start detection unit 326 fordetecting operation input relating to a driving instruction required todrive the driving device 2 to move the object in a direction associatedwith an arbitrary detection unit 322 x of the detection unit group 322.

The detection unit group 322 is arranged in the shape of a closed ringsurrounding the entire circumference of the casing 31. However, thedetection unit group 322 may be arranged as a whole in an arc shape oran unclosed or open ring shape about a part of the circumference of thecasing 31 as long as it functions to detect the object movementdirection selected by the operator. Hereafter, the plurality ofdetection units (including but not limited to the detection unit group322) arranged to surround all or a part of the circumference of thecasing 31 will also be referred to as a “ring shaped detection unit”.

The small adjustment input detection unit 324 and the special inputdetection unit 325 are provided as required.

The small adjustment input detection unit 324 and the driving startdetection unit 326 are both provided as detection units for detectingoperation input relating to the driving device 2. The special inputdetection unit 325 may be provided both as a detection unit fordetecting operation input relating to the driving device 2 and for otherpurposes.

The driving device 2 normally does not drive the object to move in thedirection corresponding to the detection unit 322 x of the detectionunit group 322 as soon as the detection unit 322 x detects operationinput, but rather waits until the driving start detection unit 326detects operation input thereafter.

Note that the operating device 3 and the driving device 2 may bedesigned to drive the object as soon as the detection unit 322 x of thedetection unit group 322 detects operation input. In this case, thedriving start detection unit 326 and an input unit P326 thereof are notrequired.

An input unit P32 is constituted by input units P321 (P321 a, P321 b),P322 (P322 a, P322 b, P322 c, . . . ), P323 (P323 a, P323 b), P324 (P324a, P324 b), P325, and P326 (none of which are shown in the drawings) forinputting operation input into the respective detection units 32.

A push button may be cited as a representative example of the input unitP32, but any mechanism or means for generating operation input andenabling the operation input to be detected by a constituent element, asensor, or the like of the detection unit 32 is sufficient. Thus, a casein which operation input is generated by relatively rotating twocasings, as in a conventional operating device, is not excluded from theinput unit P32 (in this case, the two relatively rotated casingsthemselves may be considered to correspond to the input unit).

When the small adjustment input detection unit 324 is not provided, theinput unit 324 of the small adjustment input detection unit 324 is notrequired. Similarly, when the special input detection unit 325 is notprovided, the input unit P325 of the special input detection unit 325 isnot required.

[Electric Configuration]

The elevator input detection unit 321 and the input unit P321 thereofare associated with an operation for driving the Z axis motor 43. Forexample, when the operator operates the input unit P321 such thatoperation input corresponding to the operation is detected by theelevator input detection unit 321, the elevator input detection unit 321generates a signal corresponding to the operation input. This signal istransmitted to the microcomputer 33. The microcomputer 33 performsrequired processing on the signal to generate an operation signal basedon the signal. The operation signal is transmitted from the output endportion 34 to the input end portion 54 and from the input end portion 54to the microcomputer 53. The microcomputer 53 generates a control signalon the basis of the operation signal, and transmits the control signalto the inverter or contactor 52. The inverter or contactor 52 controlsan operation of the Z axis motor 43.

Note that when the small adjustment input detection unit 324 and theinput unit P324 thereof are constituted by a detection unit and acorresponding input unit for making small adjustments or corrections tomovement of the object in the up-down direction, the small adjustmentinput detection unit 324 and the input unit P324 thereof are associatedwith an operation for driving the Z axis motor 43, similarly to theexample described above. A case in which an up-down direction smalladjustment input detection unit and a corresponding input unit formaking small adjustments or corrections to movement of the object in theup-down direction are provided as the special input detection unit 325and the input unit P325 thereof is similar, and in this case also, theup-down direction small adjustment input detection unit and the inputunit thereof are associated with an operation for driving the Z axismotor 43, similarly to the example described above.

In FIG. 3, the detection unit group 322 and the input unit P322 thereof,and also the driving start detection unit 326 and the input unit P326thereof, are associated with operations for driving the X axis motor 41and the Y axis motor 42, respectively. For example, (1) when theoperator operates the input unit P322 such that operation inputcorresponding to the operation is detected by any detection unit 322 xof the detection unit group 322, the detection unit 322 x generates asignal relating to the object movement direction pre-associated with theoperation input. This signal is transmitted to the microcomputer 33. Themicrocomputer 33 performs required processing on the signal to generatean operation signal based on the signal. Further, (2) when the operatoroperates the input unit P326 after operating the input unit P322 suchthat operation input corresponding to the operation is detected by thedriving start detection unit 326, the driving start detection unit 326generates a signal corresponding to the operation input. This signal istransmitted to the microcomputer 33. The microcomputer 33 performsrequired processing on the signal to generate an operation signal basedon the signal. (3) These operation signals are both transmitted from theoutput end portion 34 to the input end portion 54 and from the input endportion 54 to the microcomputer 53. The microcomputer 53 generatescontrol signals on the basis of the operation signals, whereupon theinverter or contactor 51 controls an operation of the X axis motor 41and the Y axis motor 42 on the basis of the respective control signals.

Note that likewise in a case where the small adjustment input detectionunit 324 and the input unit P324 thereof are constituted by a detectionunit and a corresponding input unit for making small adjustments orcorrections to the movement direction of the object on a horizontalplane, the small adjustment input detection unit 324 and the input unitP324 thereof are associated with an operation for driving the X axismotor 41 and the Y axis motor 42, similarly to the example describedabove.

Further, the display units 100, 70 a described with reference to FIG. 1are connected to the microcomputer 53. The display unit will bedescribed in detail below.

[Summary]

Using the operating device 1 of the moving apparatus 1, the operator canmanipulate movement of the object in a Z axis direction, an X axisdirection, a Y axis direction, or a direction synthesized from the Xaxis direction and the Y axis direction by operating the input units.

Therefore, using the operating device 1 of the moving apparatus 1, theoperator can manipulate movement of the object within athree-dimensional space by operating the input units.

When the moving apparatus 1 is an overhead crane apparatus, for example,the overhead crane apparatus can be operated using the operating device1. In this case, a motor that enables a hoisting operation (movement inthe Z axis direction) of the overhead crane corresponds to the Z axismotor, while motors that enable a traversing operation (movement in theX axis direction), a traveling operation (movement in the Y axisdirection), and a diagonal operation synthesized from the traversing andtraveling operations along a horizontal wall surface of a buildingcorrespond to the X axis motor and the Y axis motor.

[Related Matter]

In FIGS. 2 and 4, associations between the detection unit group 322 (322a, 322 b, 322 c, . . . ) and corresponding input units P322 (P322 a,P322 b, P322 c, . . . ) and the movement direction of the object are setsuch that when the detection unit group 322 is constituted by a total ofN detection units and the detection units are arranged at equaldistances about the entire circumference of the casing, for example, anobject movement direction based on operation input relating to adetection unit 322 m, from among arbitrary adjacent detection units 322m, 322 n, deviates from an object movement direction based on operationinput relating to the detection unit 322 n by (360/N) degrees. In otherwords, the object movement direction cannot be set at a smaller anglethan (360/N) degrees.

Meanwhile, the small adjustment input detection unit 324 and the inputunit P324 (324 a, 324 b) thereof correct the object movement directionto enable the object to move in a direction that cannot easily be set byoperation input relating to the adjacent detection units 322 m, 322 n.For example, a correction unit (U) is set by dividing (360/N) degreesinto t units, whereupon an input frequency or an input time of operationinput relating to the small adjustment input detection unit 324 a for aforward direction (a clockwise direction, a rightward direction, or thelike, for example) is set at a positive value and an input frequency oran input time of operation input relating to the small adjustment inputdetection unit 324 b for a reverse direction (a counterclockwisedirection, a leftward direction, or the like, for example) is set at anegative value. A total operation frequency or operation time (p) of thesmall adjustment input unit P324 (P324 a, 324 b) is then determined,whereupon (360/Nt) degrees is integrated in accordance with the value ofp. A result thereof is added to a pre-correction direction (R0), and aresult thereof is set as a post-correction movement direction(R0+U×p=R0+(360/Nt)×p). By performing the calculations and controlillustrated in this example using the microcomputer 53, the inverter orcontactor 51, the driving motors 41, 42, and so on, the object movementdirection can be corrected.

Note that when the individual detection units are small (see FIG. 13),[a range of] (360/N) degrees also decreases. In this case, the smalladjustment input detection unit 324 and the input unit P324 thereof arenot required.

Second Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an operating device according to a secondembodiment of the present invention will be described.

[Constitution of Main Parts]

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4( a), the casing 31 of the operating device 3includes the detection unit 32, or more specifically the elevator inputdetection unit 321, detection unit group 322, activation-related inputdetection unit 323, and small adjustment input detection unit 324, aswell as the input units P32 (P321, P322, P324) thereof, and alsoincludes a hollow projecting portion 31 a on an upper portion thereof.

The respective detection units 32 and corresponding input units P32 maybe disposed on the casing 31 as desired, but in the operating deviceshown in FIG. 4( a), the input unit P321 of the elevator input detectionunit 321 is disposed on a front surface of the casing 31 so as to be infront of the operator when the operator holds the casing 31 in his/herhand, the input unit P324 of the small adjustment input detection unit324 is disposed in the vicinity of the input units P322 of the detectionunit group 322, and the input unit P323 of the activation-related inputdetection unit 323 is disposed on a casing lower portion (a lowerportion of the front surface of the casing 31 located in front of theoperator when the operator holds the casing 31 in his/her hand).

The input unit P32 of each detection unit 32 (including an input unitP322 x of the arbitrary detection unit 322 x of the detection unit group322) is integrated with the corresponding detection unit 32 to form asingle operating switch.

Each detection unit 32 may be constituted by a mechanical contact pointenabling energization, a pressure sensitive element that detectspressure, a sensor that detects electrostatic capacitance or variationtherein, a magnetic sensor that detects magnetism or the like, anoptical sensor that detects light, and so on. Alternatively, eachdetection unit 32 may be constituted by a non-contact type sensor suchas any so-called proximity sensor.

The individual detection units 322 x constituting the detection unitgroup 322 double as the driving start detection unit 326. Accordingly,when the operator operates the input unit 322 x, the resulting operationinput serves simultaneously as both operation input for determining themovement direction of the object associated with the detection unit 322x, for example the traveling body 9 in FIGS. 1 and 2, and operationinput for issuing an instruction to drive the driving device 2 in orderto move the object in that direction.

The detection unit group 322 is arranged in a ring shape about theentire circumference of the casing 31. The individual detection units ofthe detection unit group 322 are set to correspond to respective objectmovement directions relative to the operator, and this setting can bemodified by modifying a setting pattern of wire setting pins (notshown). For example, when the operator holds the casing 31 such that theinput unit P321 of the elevator input detection unit 321 directly facesthe operator, the detection unit 322 a positioned in front of theoperator can be used to select and set the next traveling direction ofthe traveling body 9, for example, and issue a correspondinginstruction.

More specifically, [the respective detection units] can be selected andset [such that the detection unit 322 a] corresponds to a directionheading from the casing 31 toward the operator (i.e. rearward from theoperator), the detection unit 322 b positioned on an opposite side tothe detection unit 322 a corresponds to a direction heading from theoperator toward the casing 31 (i.e. forward from the operator), thedetection unit 322 c positioned between the detection units 322 a and322 b on a right hand side of the operator corresponds to a rightwarddirection from the operator, and the detection unit 322 d positionedbetween the detection units 322 a and 322 b on a left hand side of theoperator (i.e. on an opposite side to the detection unit 322 c)corresponds to a leftward direction from the operator.

Further, detection units positioned between the detection units 322 aand 322 c, between 322 c and 322 b, between 322 a and 322 d, and between322 d and 322 b may be selected and operated. In so doing, [thedetection units] can be set to correspond to directions belongingrespectively to a region between the rearward and rightward directionsof the operator, a region between the rightward and forward directions,a region between the forward and leftward directions, and a regionbetween the leftward and forward directions.

Furthermore, the detection units 322 a and 322 b can be modified tocorrespond respectively to the front and the rear of the operator, whilethe detection units 322 c and 322 d can be modified to correspondrespectively to the leftward direction and the rightward direction ofthe operator.

[Electric Configuration]

As shown in FIG. 4( b), the casing 31 includes, in its interior, themicrocomputer 33 connected to wires A, B, C, the output end portion 34,and the respective detection units 32 connected to the wires A, B. Thewire C is disposed in the hollow projecting portion 31 a so as toconnect the interior of the casing 31 to the outside.

The wires A, B, C include signal lines for transmitting signals andpower lines for supplying power. Power required to operate the operatingdevice 3 is supplied to the microcomputer 33 either from an externalpower supply through the wire C or from the internal power supply 61represented by a battery, and distributed to the respective detectionunits 32 through the wires A, B.

When the operator operates the respective detection units 32, a signalrelating to the operation input corresponding to the operation istransmitted to the microcomputer 33 through the wires A, B. Themicrocomputer 33 performs required processing on the signal to generatean operation signal based on the signal. The operation signal istransmitted from the output end portion 34 to the input end portion 54through the wire C.

[Summary]

The operating device 3 employing the detection unit group 322 describedabove differs from a conventional operating device in that there is noneed to prepare two casings, dispose the two casings one above theother, and rotationally operate the two casings relative to each other.Accordingly, a gap formed by a seam between the two casings does notexist, and therefore the operating device 3 exhibits superior sealingproperties (dust resistance and water resistance, for example). Further,structural simplicity and a comparatively small number of components arerealized, and therefore design restrictions and an assembly operationload can be reduced.

[Related Matter]

Note that when signal transmission between the output end portion 34 andthe input end portion 54 is performed using a wired system, a contactpoint between the wire C and the microcomputer 33 may be consideredequivalent to the output end portion 34, as shown in FIG. 4( b). Whensignal transmission is performed using a wireless system, however, thecontact point does not have to serve as an output portion. In this case,the wire C is connected to the communication cable 8 described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and inserted into the hollow projectingportion 31 a. A specific example of a wireless system will be describedbelow.

Further, when the power required to operate the operating device 3 issupplied from the internal power supply 61, the power supplied from theinternal power supply is distributed to the respective detection units32 through the wires A, B. In this case, the wire C serving as a supplyline is not required, and therefore both the wire C and the hollowprojecting portion 31 a become unnecessary. However, the wire C and thehollow projecting portion 31 a are required in a case where the wire Cserves as a signal line for transmitting signals to the outside via thecommunication cable 8.

When the power required to operate the operating device 3 is suppliedfrom the internal power supply and signal transmission with the outsideis performed using a wireless system, the wire C and the hollowprojecting portion 31 a are not required. When the wire C and the hollowprojecting portion 31 a perform other roles (see the modified exampledescribed below), however, the wire C and the hollow projecting portion31 a remain necessary. When, for example, the transmitting meansconstituting the output end portion 34 require an antenna to performsignal transmission wirelessly, the antenna can be disposed in theinterior of the hollow projecting portion 31 a, and in this case,therefore, the hollow projecting portion 31 a remains necessary.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a view showing a constitution of an operating device accordingto a third embodiment of the present invention and a view showing amodified example of the operating device shown in FIG. 4. The operatingdevice of FIG. 5 differs from the operating device of FIG. 4 inincluding a jacket member D covering a surface of the ring shapeddetection unit 322.

As shown in FIG. 5, the jacket member D is a strip form member coveringthe surface of the ring shaped detection unit 322 (the individualdetection units 322 a, 322 b, 322 c, . . . constituting the detectionunit group 322) and the input units P322 (P322 a, P322 b, P322 c, . . .) on the casing 31 and an outer surface of the casing 31 in the vicinitythereof. As is evident from the drawing, the jacket member D serves as acover member for covering the ring shaped detection unit 322. At least apart of the jacket member D corresponding to the input unit P322 of thering shaped detection unit 322 is formed from a synthetic resin that isflexible enough for the operator to operate the input unit P322 easilyor provided with through holes into which the operator can insert afinger. When synthetic resin is used for this part, the synthetic resinis preferably transparent or translucent.

The jacket member D may be fixed so as not to move relative to the outersurface of the ring shaped detection unit 322 and the casing 31, or maybe unfixed. For example, the jacket member D may be disposed to becapable of rotating 360 degrees, or in a larger or smaller angle rangethan 360 degrees, around the circumference of the casing 31.

The input unit P322 is interposed between the jacket member D and theouter surface of the ring shaped detection unit 322, and a referencemember J, a protective sheet S, and so on may be interposed between theinput unit P322 and the jacket member D.

Although not shown in FIG. 5, the reference member J and the protectivesheet S are constituted substantially identically to those of FIGS. 7and 11, which are specific examples of other embodiments to be describedbelow.

The reference member J functions to switch mechanical switches orsensors constituting the detection units 32 “ON”. In other words, thereference member J covers a wide range of members that serve or functionto detect a displacement angle or the like of the operating device 3 anddetect a switch operation performed by the operator.

In this embodiment, for example, the reference member J may beconstituted by a convex or projecting permanent magnet, magnetic body,or the like formed on a rear surface of the jacket member D.

The protective sheet S is a protective sheet for the detection unit 32,which is formed to cover the surface of the input unit P322 of the ringshaped detection unit 322. The protective sheet S is preferably formedfrom a transparent film or the like that is dust-proof and waterproofand sufficiently elastic to enable a push button operation or the like.

Hence, when the jacket member D is formed to be rotatable, the referencemember J is a projecting member, a permanent magnet, or the like thatcorresponds to one input unit P322.

When the jacket member D is formed to be non-rotatable, [the referencemember J] is provided in a plurality corresponding one-on-one topositions corresponding to the respective input units P322.

A typical example of the operating switches constituted respectively bythe ring shaped detection unit 322 and the input unit P322 thereof aswell as the other detection units 321, 323, 324 and the input unitsP321, P323, P324 thereof is a push button/switch in which an input unit(a button of the push button) is operated by pressure received from thejacket member D via an operation performed by the operator, or apressure sensitive sensor that detects the pressure received by theinput unit. In a case where the jacket member D serves as the input unititself or includes an input unit, a proximity sensor that detects theapproach and retreat of the jacket member D corresponding to anoperation performed by the operator, as described above, serves asanother example of the operating switch.

When the jacket member D is provided, the sealing property of the ringshaped detection unit 322 and the casing 31 in the vicinity thereof canbe improved in comparison with the second embodiment. Further, when thejacket member D is provided, a comparatively large and expensivedust-proof, waterproof operating switch need not be used. As a result,the following incidental effects are obtained.

(1) The ring shaped detection unit 322 can be constructed comparativelyinexpensively and compactly.(2) The number (N) of detection units constituting the single ringshaped detection unit can be increased, whereby the ring shapeddetection unit 322 can be constructed such that a direction differencebetween adjacent detection units is comparatively small (i.e. [the rangeof] (360/N) is small, enabling fine direction setting).

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 6 is a view showing a constitution of an operating device accordingto a fourth embodiment of the present invention and a view showing amodified example of the operating device shown in FIG. 5. The operatingdevice of FIG. 6 differs from the operating device of FIG. 5 in that thejacket member D, or in other words the cover member D, covers not onlythe ring shaped detection unit 322 and the vicinity thereof, but alsoother regions of the casing surface.

As shown in FIG. 6, the jacket member D covers substantially the entireouter surface of the casing 31 from a bottom portion of the casing 31 tothe upper hollow projecting portion 31 a. At least the part of thejacket member D corresponding to the input unit P322 of the ring shapeddetection unit 322 is formed from a synthetic resin that is flexibleenough for the operator to operate the input unit P322 easily. Thesynthetic resin used for this part is preferably transparent ortranslucent. In other parts, the jacket member D is formed from acomparatively hard material through multicolor molding or the like inorder to maintain its outer form.

The jacket member D may be fixed so as not to move relative to thehollow projecting portion 31 a, the casing 31, and the outer surface ofthe respective detection units 32, or may be unfixed. For example, thejacket member D may be disposed to be capable of rotating 360 degrees,or in a larger or smaller angle range than 360 degrees, around thecircumference of the casing 31.

The input unit P322 is interposed between the jacket member D and theouter surface of the ring shaped detection unit 322, but the referencemember J, the protective sheet S, and so on may be interposed betweenthe input unit P322 and the jacket member D in the manner described inthe third embodiment (not shown).

When the jacket member D is provided, the sealing property of the ringshaped detection unit 322, the other ring shaped detection units 323,324, 325, and substantially the entire casing 31 can be improved. As aresult, similar incidental effects to those of the third embodiment areobtained. Further, the dust resistance and water resistance of theoperating switches constituted by the other detection units 321, 323,324 and the input units P321, P323, P324 thereof can be improved,enabling further reductions in the cost and size of the operating device3.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a view showing a constitution of an operating device accordingto a fifth embodiment of the present invention and a view showing amodified example of the operating device shown in FIG. 6. The operatingdevice of FIG. 7 differs from the operating device of FIG. 6 at least inthat the ring shaped detection unit is formed by disposing all of thedetection units 32 in series in a longitudinal direction, the casing 31is constituted by two casing elements (an exterior casing 31 o and aninterior casing 31 i), and the driving start detection unit 326 isprovided separately to the detection unit group 322.

The exterior casing 31 o and the interior casing 31 i, which isaccommodated completely inside the exterior casing 31 o and nottherefore exposed to the outside, are substantially identical hollowcylinders.

The reference member J is disposed fixedly on an inner surface of theexterior casing 31 o as ON means for specifying a selected direction andswitching a detection unit ON in accordance with the selected direction.

[Constitution of Main Parts]

As shown in FIG. 7( a), the casing 31 of the operating device 3 includesthe hollow, substantially columnar interior casing 31 i, and thesubstantially hollow cylindrical exterior casing 31 o, which is attachedso as to envelop the interior casing 31 i and to be capable of rotatingabout the circumference of the interior casing 31 i by 360 degrees or ina larger or smaller angle range than 360 degrees. More specifically, theinterior casing 31 i includes hollow projecting portions 31 a 3 bprovided respectively on an upper portion and a lower portion thereof,and the exterior casing 31 o is attached to the interior casing 31 i viaa bearing mechanism G such as a bearing attached to each hollowprojecting portion 31 a 3 b. A projection H provided on an interiorcasing 31 i side surface of the exterior casing 31 o moves around theinterior casing 31 while engaged with a raceway groove i provided in anouter surface of the interior casing 31 i, and therefore the exteriorcasing 31 o and the interior casing 31 i are free to rotate coaxiallywhile a distance therebetween remains constant. Hence, the operator canrotate the exterior casing 31 o relative to the interior casing 31 i byvarying the orientation or attitude of the hand holding the exteriorcasing 31 o, his/her arm, or his/her body. The operating device 3according to this embodiment is similar to a conventional operatingdevice in that the two casings are capable of relative rotation, but incontrast to a conventional operating device, the two casings of theoperating device shown in FIG. 7 are not disposed one above the other.

Note that when the projecting portion (an arc shaped projection) H isformed on the interior casing 31 i side surface of the exterior casing31 o in a closed ring shape or a long arc shape, for example, theprojecting portion H also assists in reinforcing the exterior casing 31o.

[Ring Shaped Detection Unit]

The ring shaped detection unit corresponding to the respective detectionunits 32 (321, 322, 323, 326, . . . ) is provided around the interiorcasing 31 i. The small adjustment input detection unit 324 and thespecial input detection unit 325, although not shown in the drawing, maybe provided if necessary, but when provided, the small adjustment inputdetection unit 324 and the special input detection unit 325 do not haveto include a plurality of detection units like the ring shaped detectionunit, and may be provided in the form of operating switches such asthose shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.

When the operator grasps the operating device 3, and more particularlythe exterior casing 31 o, by the hand and then varies the orientation orattitude of the hand holding the exterior casing 31 o, his/her arm, orhis/her body, the exterior casing 31 o rotates relative to the interiorcasing 31 i. Accordingly, the reference member J attached to theexterior casing 31 o rotates by a corresponding amount about the ringshaped detection unit 322 attached to the interior casing 31 i. As aresult, a specific detection unit 322 j located in a positioncorresponding to the relative rotation amount, from among the pluralityof detection units constituting the ring shaped detection unit 322,detects the approach or contact of the reference member J. A specificobject movement direction is associated in advance with each arbitrarydetection unit 322 x constituting the ring shaped detection unit 322,and therefore the specific detection unit 322 j that detects theapproach or contact of the reference member J generates a signalcorresponding to the specific object movement direction associatedtherewith.

Hence, the ring shaped detection unit 322 functions as means fordetecting the object movement direction selected by the operator. Inthis case, the two casings 31 i 3 o themselves may be consideredequivalent to the input unit P322.

The individual detection units 322 x constituting the ring shapeddetection unit 322 may be constituted by any mechanism or means (asensor, an element, a switch, and so on) that detects the approach orcontact of the reference member J. For example, the detection units 322x may be constituted by a pressure sensitive sensor that detectspressure received from the reference member J, a magnetic sensor thatdetects a magnetic body provided in the reference member J, an opticalsensor that detects light shielding or light reflection by the referencemember J, or in more comprehensive terms, a proximity sensor thatdetects the approach of the reference member J without contact (see FIG.11).

Note that if the reference member J is small, it may be impossible forany of the detection units to detect the reference member J when thereference member J is disposed between adjacent detection units.Therefore, measures such as setting the size of the reference member Jat or above an interval width between adjacent detection units orproviding the reference member J in a plurality are taken in advance toensure that the reference member J can be detected by at least onedetection unit.

The individual detection units constituting the ring shaped detectionunits 321 (321 a, 321 b), 323 (323 a, 323 b, 323 c), 326 . . . otherthan the ring shaped detection unit 322 may be constituted by anymechanism or switch (a sensor, an element, a switch, and so on) thatdetects operation input from the input units P321 a, P321 b, P323 a,P323 b, P323 c, P326, . . . . For example, these detection units may beconstituted by a pressure sensitive sensor that detects pressurereceived from the input unit, a magnetic sensor that detects a magneticbody provided in the input unit, an optical sensor that detects lightshielding or light reflection by the input unit, or in morecomprehensive terms, a proximity sensor that detects the approach of theinput unit without contact (see FIG. 12).

Note that hereafter, the ring shaped detection units (including thesmall adjustment input detection unit 324 and the special inputdetection unit 325 provided when required) other than the ring shapeddetection unit 322 and the input units thereof will sometimes bereferred to collectively or individually as 32U and P32U.

Regardless of the type of the ring shaped detection unit, as long as thefunctions of the ring shaped detection unit and the individual detectionunits constituting the ring shaped detection unit are not impaired, theprotective sheet S may be provided on the outer surface of therespective detection units (see FIGS. 11 and 12). When provided, theprotective sheet S assists in extending the life of the respectivedetection units, and therefore the ring shaped detection units, andimproving dust resistance and water resistance. The protective sheet Sis made of rubber or synthetic resin, and functions similarly to thejacket member D of the operating device shown in FIG. 5 in terms ofimproving dust resistance and water resistance. In a case where theindividual detection units constituting the ring shaped detection unit32 include a dust-proofing mechanism and a waterproofing mechanism, theprotective sheet S need not be provided, but may still be provided.

The notification unit 20 a shown in FIG. 7( b) is constituted by anilluminating device that functions as means for assisting the operationsof the operator by emitting a directional light beam, as shown in thedrawing, in the travel direction of the traveling body 9 described withreference to FIG. 1, for example, such that a light spot is formed.

A comparatively powerful LED or a device that condenses a red laserbeam, illumination light generated by a bulb, or a powerful light beamfrom a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, or the like using a predeterminedoptical system, and so on may be used as the illuminating device.

Thus, people around the operator can grasp the direction in which thetraveling body 9 is heading, or in other words the direction in whichthe package or the like is heading, from the indication provided by thenotification unit 20 a without checking the display on the display unit100. Further, the operator him/herself can be informed anew of thedirection in which the travel unit 5 is heading during an operation, andcan therefore perform operations safely and reliably while checking thecontent of the notification.

[Electric Configuration]

As shown in FIG. 7( b), the casing 31 includes, in its interior, themicrocomputer 31 connected to the wires A, B, C, the output end portion34, and the respective ring shaped detection units 32 connected to thewires A, B. The wire C is disposed in the hollow projecting portion 31a. Power required to operate the respective ring shaped detection units32 (more specifically, the individual detection units constituting therespective ring shaped detection units 32) and other componentsrequiring a power supply is supplied first to the microcomputer 33either from the power supply 6 through the wire C or from the internalpower supply 61 represented by a battery, and then distributed to therespective detection units 32 through the wires A, B.

(1) The detection unit 32 detects operation input generated when theoperator rotates the two casings 31 i 3 o relative to each other oroperation input generated when the operator operates the input unit P32,and generates a signal corresponding to the operation input. The signalis transmitted to the microcomputer 33 through the wires A, B. Themicrocomputer 33 generates an operation signal based on the signal. Theoperation signal is then transmitted from the output end portion 34 tothe input end portion 54 through the wire C.

When operation input generated particularly when the operator rotatesthe two casings 31 i 3 o relative to each other is detected by one ofthe detection units 322 x constituting the ring shaped detection unit322 (more specifically, when the reference member J is detected by thedetection unit 322 j), the detection unit 322 x (322 j) generates asignal relating to the object movement direction pre-associatedtherewith, whereupon the microcomputer 33 generates an operation signalbased on this signal. When the operator operates the input unit P326after operating the input unit P322 such that the resulting operationinput is detected by the driving start detection unit 326, the drivingstart detection unit 326 generates a signal corresponding to theoperation input, whereupon the microcomputer 33 generates an operationsignal based on this signal. All of the operation signals aretransmitted from the output end portion 34 to the input end portion 54through the wire C.

(2) The respective operation signals are then transmitted from the inputend portion 54 to the microcomputer 53, whereupon the microcomputer 53generates control signals on the basis of the operation signals. On thebasis of the control signals, the inverter or contactor 51 controlsoperations of the X axis motor 41 and the Y axis motor 42, while theinverter or contactor 52 controls an operation of the Z axis motor 43.

[Summary]

In the operating device 3 shown in FIG. 7, the exterior casing 31 ocovers the periphery of the ring shaped detection units attached to theinterior casing 31 i, and therefore corresponds to the jacket member D.

The operating device 3 shown in FIG. 7 is similar to a conventionaloperating device in that the two casings are capable of relativerotation. In the operating device shown in FIG. 7, however, the twocasings 31 i 3 o are not disposed in a conventional verticalrelationship, and instead, the exterior casing 31 o covers substantiallythe entire interior casing 31 i. Further, the bearing mechanism G suchas a bearing is interposed in a boundary between the interior casing 31i and the exterior casing 31 o, and it may therefore be said that no gapexists between the exterior casing 31 o and the interior casing 31 i. Asa result, the sealing properties (dust resistance and water resistance,for example) of the operating device shown in FIG. 7 are improvedfurther. By making the respective detection units 32 dust-proof andwaterproof in this case, the sealing properties of the operating device3 can be improved even further.

Moreover, although the operating device 3 shown in FIG. 7 is dividedinto the two casings 31 i 3 o, relative rotation between the two casingsis detected by the ring shaped detection unit, and therefore theexterior casing 31 o can be provided with an extremely simpleconstitution and attached easily. Hence, design subjects can be limitedmainly to the interior casing 31 i, enabling reductions in designrestrictions and the assembly operation load in comparison with theprior art.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 8 is a view showing a constitution of an operating device accordingto a sixth embodiment of the present invention and a view showing amodified example of the operating device shown in FIG. 7. The operatingdevice of FIG. 8 differs from the operating device of FIG. 7 in thatonly the detection unit group 322 serves as a ring shaped detectionunit, a slip ring is used to secure the power supply (and signaltransmission) between the two casing elements (the exterior casing 31 oand the interior casing 31 i), and wireless communication means is usedto secure signal transmission.

[Constitution of Main Parts]

As shown in FIG. 8( a), the casing 31 of the operating device 3 includesthe hollow, substantially columnar interior casing 31 i, and theexterior casing 31 o, which is formed in a hollow cup shape (forexample, a shape obtained by inserting a small cup into a large cup andconnecting the respective cups in planar form at an opening portion) andattached so as to envelop the interior casing 31 i and be capable ofrotating about the circumference of the interior casing 31 i by 360degrees or in a larger or smaller angle range than 360 degrees. Thebearing mechanism G such as a bearing is interposed between the exteriorcasing 31 o and the interior casing 31 i so as to fill a gap between thetwo casings, and therefore the two casings are free to rotate coaxially.Hence, the operator can rotate the exterior casing 31 o relative to theinterior casing 31 i by varying the orientation or attitude of the handholding the exterior casing 31 o, his/her arm, or his/her body. Theoperating device 3 according to this embodiment is similar to aconventional operating device in that the two casings are capable ofrelative rotation, but in contrast to a conventional operating device,the two casings of the operating device shown in FIG. 8 are not disposedone above the other.

A ring shaped detection unit corresponding to the detection unit group322 is provided about the circumference of the interior casing 31 i.This ring shaped detection unit 322 is identical to the ring shapeddetection unit 322 of the operating device shown in FIG. 7, and byassociating the individual detection units 322 x constituting the ringshaped detection unit 322 with object movement directions, the ringshaped detection unit 322 functions as means for detecting the objectmovement direction selected by the operator. The individual detectionunits 322 x of the ring shaped detection unit 322 may be formed fromsensors that detect the approach or contact of the reference member J.

An operating panel M is provided on the outer surface of the exteriorcasing 31 o, and includes display means N provided in a position thatcan be seen by the operator while holding the casing 31. Further, thedetection units 321 (321 a, 321 b), 323, 324, 325, 326 including theinput units P321 (P321 a, P321 b), P323, P324, P325, P326 are eitherprovided on the operating panel M or built into the operating panel Minoperable positions close to the operator in order to detect operationinput from the respective input units.

The detection units 32U and corresponding input units P32U other thanthe detection unit group 322 are basically identical to those of theoperating device shown in FIG. 4, except that the detection units 32Uand input units P32U are attached to the operating panel M and thedriving start detection unit 326 and corresponding input unit P326 areprovided.

The driving start detection unit 326 and corresponding input unit P326are basically identical to those of the operating device shown in FIG.7, except that they are not formed as a ring shaped detection unit.Similarly to the respective detection units 32 and corresponding inputunits P32 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the driving start detection unit 326and corresponding input unit P326 are formed integrally as a singleoperating switch.

The microcomputer 33 is provided in the interior of the interior casing31 i. In addition to the signal processing described above, themicrocomputer 33 performs processing relating to an operation of thedisplay means N provided on the surface of the exterior casing 31 o.More specifically, the microcomputer 33 generates a signal relating touseful information for the operator to be displayed on the display meansN (for example, movement angles and directions such as east, west,south, north, up down, 360°, etc., the content of the operationperformed by the operator, the ON/OFF status of the power supply of theoperating device 3, the condition of the moving apparatus 1 and theoperating device 3, warnings, and so on), and transmits the signal tothe display means N. The display means N displays the correspondinginformation in accordance with the signal from the microcomputer 33. Theinformation displayed by the display means N includes numerals,alphabetic characters, and symbols, and preferably includes imageinformation.

More preferably, apart or all of the information displayed on thedisplay unit 100 described with reference to FIG. 1 is displayedsynchronously on the display means N.

When the information is displayed on the display means N, the operatorcan conveniently perform a following operation while checking his/herown behavior. For example, every time the operator rotates the exteriorcasing 31 o relative to the interior casing 31 i in order to move theobject in a desired direction such that corresponding operation input istransmitted to the microcomputer 33, the microcomputer 33 transmits asignal corresponding to the operation input to the display means N, andthe display means N displays a picture of an arrow corresponding to thesignal. Thus, the operator can check the display means N for variationin the picture of the arrow that depicts the object movement directionin accordance with his/her behavior while varying the orientation orattitude of the hand holding the exterior casing 31 o, his/her arm, orhis/her body, and can therefore specific the desired object movementdirection while checking the display means N. Further, after specifyingthe object movement direction in this manner, the operator can move theobject in the desired movement direction by operating the input unit 326such that corresponding operation input is detected by the driving startdetection unit 326 and the driving device 2 is driven. As a result,improvements in both convenience and safety can be achieved.

[Electric Configuration]

As shown in FIG. 8( b), the casing 31 includes, in its interior, themicrocomputer 31 connected to wires A*, B*, C, the output end portion34, and the respective detection units 32 connected to the wires A, B.The wire C is disposed in the hollow projecting portion 31 a.

A slip ring K for electrically connecting a wire extending along arotary axis and a wire extending about the rotary axis is disposed in aninterior space in the lower portion of the exterior casing 31 o. Atypical slip ring includes a rotary tube and a trunk portion attached tothe periphery of the rotary tube to be free to rotate. A through hole Eis provided between a bottom portion of the interior casing 31 i and abottom portion of the exterior casing 31 o so as to extend along acoaxial rotary axis of the interior casing 31 i and the exterior casing31 o. The rotary tube is inserted into the through hole E, and the trunkportion is fixed to the interior space in the bottom portion of theexterior casing 31 o. A wire in an interior space of the interior casing31 i is connected to a rotary tube side wire, and a wire in the interiorspace of the exterior casing 31 o is connected to a trunk portion sidewire. Hence, even when the exterior casing 31 o is formed to be capableof rotating relative to the interior casing 31 i, an electric connectionis secured between the wire in the internal space of the interior casing31 i and the wire in the internal space of the exterior casing 31 o.

Further, wireless communication means L is provided between the interiorcasing 31 i and the exterior casing 31 o.

Wires A**, B*, similarly to the wire C, include a signal line fortransmitting signals and a power line for supplying power. The wire A*functions only as a signal line.

The power required to operate the respective elements (the detectionunits 32, the display means N, and so on) of the operating device 3 issupplied first to the microcomputer 33 either from the power supply 6through the wire C or from the internal power supply 61 represented by abattery, and then distributed to the ring shaped detection unit 322through the wire A** and to the other detection units 32, the displaymeans N, and so on through the wire B* via the slip ring K.

A signal generated by the ring shaped detection unit 322 after detectingthe reference member J (a signal corresponding to operation inputgenerated by the approach or contact of the reference member J) istransmitted to the microcomputer 33 through the wire A**. The detectionunits 321, 323, 324, 325, 326, having detected operation input from theinput units P321, P323, P324, P325, P326 on the operating panel M,generate signals corresponding to the operation input. These signals aretransmitted to the microcomputer 33 through the wire A* via the wirelesscommunication means L. However, a part of the signals may be transmittedto the microcomputer 33 through the wire B* via the slip ring K. Themicrocomputer 33 generates an operation signal on the basis of thesignals transmitted from the respective detection units 32. Theoperation signal is transmitted from the output end portion 34 to theinput end portion 54 through the wire C.

A signal relating to the display means N on the operating panel M istransmitted from the microcomputer 33 to the display means N eitherthrough the wire A* via the wireless communication means L or throughthe wire B* via the slip ring K.

[Summary]

In the operating device 3 shown in FIG. 8, the exterior casing 31 ocovers the periphery of the ring shaped detection unit attached to theinterior casing 31 i, and therefore corresponds to the jacket member D.

The operating device 3 shown in FIG. 8 is similar to a conventionaloperating device in that the two casings are capable of relativerotation. In contrast to a conventional operating device, however, thetwo casings are not disposed one above the other, and therefore a gap isnot formed in the casing 31. Further, the exterior casing 31 o coverssubstantially the entire interior casing 31 i and the bearing mechanismG such as a bearing is interposed in the boundary between the interiorcasing 31 i and the exterior casing 31 o. It may therefore be said thatno gap exists between the exterior casing 31 o and the interior casing31 i. As a result, the sealing properties (dust resistance and waterresistance, for example) of the operating device 3 described above areimproved further.

Moreover, although the operating device 3 is divided into the twocasings 31 i 3 o, relative rotation between the two casings is detectedby the ring shaped detection unit, and therefore the exterior casing 31o can be provided with an extremely simple constitution. Hence, designsubjects can be limited mainly to the interior casing 31 i and theexterior casing 31 o can be attached easily. Furthermore, since theexterior casing 31 o covers substantially the entire interior casing 31i, the need to balance the weight of upper and lower casings, as in theprior art, is eliminated, leading to a reduction in design restrictions.Hence, in contrast to the prior art, the need to design a casing servingas a first device element and a casing serving as a second deviceelement while taking into consideration balance and alignment iseliminated, and therefore the assembly operation load is also reduced.

Seventh Embodiment

FIG. 9 is a view showing a constitution of an operating device accordingto a seventh embodiment of the present invention and a view showing amodified example of the operating device shown in FIG. 8. As shown inFIG. 9( a), the operating device of FIG. 9 differs from the operatingdevice of FIG. 8 in that non-contact power supplying means O is usedinstead of the slip ring K to secure the power supply.

As shown in FIG. 9( b), a pair of non-contact power supplying means Oare provided instead of the slip ring K in the respective bottomportions of the interior casing 31 i and the exterior casing 31 oconstituting the casing 31 of the operating device 3. The non-contactpower supplying means O may be non-contact power transmitting meansemploying any system, and an electromagnetic induction system or anothersystem may be employed.

The wire A**, similarly to the wire C, includes both a signal line fortransmitting signals and a power line for supplying power. The wire A*functions only as a signal line, and a wire B** functions only as apower line.

The power required to operate the respective elements (the detectionunits 32, the display means N, and so on) of the operating device 3 issupplied first to the microcomputer 33 either from the power supply 6through the wire C or from the internal power supply 61, and thendistributed to the ring shaped detection unit 322 through the wire A**and to the other detection units 32 and the display means N through thewire B** via the non-contact power supplying means O.

A signal generated by the ring shaped detection unit 322 after detectingthe reference member J is transmitted to the microcomputer 33 throughthe wire A**. The detection units 321, 323, 324, 325, having detectedoperation input from the input units P321, P323, P324, P325 on theoperating panel M, generate signals corresponding to the operationinput. These signals are transmitted to the microcomputer 33 through thewire A* via the wireless communication means L, whereupon themicrocomputer 33 generates an operation signal on the basis of thesesignals. The operation signal is then transmitted from the output endportion 34 to the input end portion 54 through the wire C.

A signal relating to the display means N on the operating panel M istransmitted from the microcomputer 33 to the display means N through thewire A* via the wireless communication means L.

In the operating device 3 shown in FIG. 9, the exterior casing 31 ocovers the periphery of the ring shaped detection unit attached to theinterior casing 31 i, and therefore corresponds to the jacket member D.The operating device 3 described above exhibits similar effects to theoperating device shown in FIG. 8. Signal transmission and power supplybetween the exterior casing 31 o and the interior casing 31 i of theoperating device 3 are both performed wirelessly and without contact,and therefore an increase in constitutional complexity can be avoided.Furthermore, it becomes even easier to provide the interior of theinterior casing 31 i with a special design, and the difficulty ofassembly can be reduced.

Eighth Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a view showing a constitution of an operating deviceaccording to an eighth embodiment of the present invention and a viewshowing a modified example of the operating device shown in FIG. 7. Theoperating device of FIG. 10 differs from the operating device of FIG. 7in that the number of detection units 32 and input units P32 isincreased, and a plurality of input units are disposed for each ringshaped detection unit.

[Constitution of Main Parts]

As shown in FIG. 10( a), the casing 31 of the operating device shown inFIG. 10 includes the hollow, substantially columnar interior casing 31i, the cup-shaped exterior casing 31 o disposed to envelop the interiorcasing 31 i, and a bearing mechanism such as a bearing that is disposedbetween the interior casing 31 i and the exterior casing 31 o to holdthe two casings 31 i 3 o to be free to rotate relative to each other.Hence, the operator can rotate the exterior casing 31 o relative to theinterior casing 31 i by varying the orientation or attitude of the handholding the exterior casing 31 o, his/her arm, or his/her body.

A projection Q that projects along the coaxial rotary axis of theinterior casing 31 i and the exterior casing 31 o so as to contact thesurface of the exterior casing 31 o is provided on a bottom portion ofthe outer surface of the interior casing 31 i. The distance between thetwo casings is maintained by the projection Q, and therefore the twocasings can be rotated relative to each other smoothly. The projection Qmay be provided on the surface of the exterior casing 31 o so as tocontact a bottom portion of the outer surface of the interior casing 31i rather than being provided on the outer surface bottom portion of theinterior casing 31 i.

The two casings 31 i 3 o are similar to a conventional operating devicein being capable of relative rotation. In contrast to the prior art,however, the two casings of the operating device shown in FIG. 10 arenot disposed one above the other. Further, the bearing mechanism G suchas a bearing is interposed between the upper portion interior casing 31i and the exterior casing 31 o of the casing 31, and it may therefore besaid that substantially no gap is formed between the two casings 31 i 3o.

In the operating device of FIG. 10, similarly to the operating device ofFIG. 7, the plurality of ring shaped detection units 32 (321, 322, 323,325, 326) are disposed about the circumference of the interior casing 31i. The ring shaped detection units 321, 323, 325, and 326 correspondrespectively to the elevator input detection unit (the hoisting inputdetection unit 321 a and the lowering input detection unit 321 b), theactivation-related input detection unit, the special input detectionunit, and the activation start detection unit. The ring shaped detectionunit 321 includes the hoisting input detection unit 321 a and thelowering input detection unit 321 b, while the ring shaped detectionunit 323 includes the detection unit 323 a for detecting operation inputrelating to an emergency stop and a detection unit 323 b that doubles asthe detection unit for detecting operation input relating to resettingand the detection unit for detecting operation input relating to powersupply ON/OFF. The ring shaped detection unit 325 includes a detectionunit 325 a for detecting operation input corresponding to threefunctions (F1, F2, F3), and detection units 325E, 325W, 325S, 325N fordetecting operation input corresponding to movement of the object ineach of eastward, westward, southward, and northward directions. Thering shaped detection unit 326 includes a detection unit 326 a thatdoubles as a detection unit for detecting operation input correspondingto movement of the object in each of the leftward and rightwarddirections and a detection unit for detecting operation inputcorresponding to advancement in each of the leftward and rightwarddirections, and a detection unit 326 b for detecting operation inputcorresponding to retreat in each of the leftward and rightwarddirections.

The protective sheet S may be provided on the outer surface of any ofthe ring shaped detection units as long as the functions of the ringshaped detection unit and the individual detection units constitutingthe ring shaped detection units are not impaired.

The reference member J is provided on the exterior casing 31 o in aposition corresponding to the ring shaped detection unit 322, and theinput units P32U (P321, P323, P325, P326) are disposed in positionscorresponding respectively to the ring shaped detection units 32U (321,323, 325, 326) other than the ring shaped detection unit 322. The inputunit P321 includes the input units P321 a, P321 b for the respectiveelevator input detection units 321 a, 321 b, the input unit 323 includesthe input units P323 a, P323 b, P323 c for the respectiveactivation-related input detection units 323 a, 323 b, 323 c, and theinput unit 325 includes input units P325 a, P325 b, P325E, P325W, P325N,P325S for the respective special input detection units P325 a, P325 b,P325E, P325W, P325N, P325S. Further, an activation start P326 (P326 a,P326 b) is disposed. The operating panel M is attached to the exteriorcasing 31 o, and the input units P32U are disposed on the operatingpanel.

As described above, the operating device of FIG. 10 includes ring shapeddetection units (323 b, 325 a, 326 a) having a plurality of input units.More specifically, (I) the ring shaped detection unit 323 b includes theinput unit P323 b for inputting operation input relating to resettingand the input unit P323 c for inputting operation input relating topower supply ON/OFF, and detects operation input corresponding tooperations performed by the operator on the individual input units. Thering shaped detection unit 325 a includes input units P325 a, P325 b,P325 c for inputting operation input corresponding to the threefunctions (F1, F2, F3), and detects operation input corresponding tooperations performed by the operator on the individual input units.Further, (II) the ring shaped detection unit 326 a includes input unitsP326R, P326L for inputting operation input relating to the selection ofobject movement in the rightward direction or the leftward direction andan input unit P326 a for inputting operation input corresponding toadvancement of the object in the rightward direction or the leftwarddirection, and simultaneously detects operation input corresponding toan operation performed by the operator on the input unit P326R or theinput unit P326L and operation input corresponding to an operation ofthe input unit P326 b.

Further, in the operating device shown in FIG. 10, an instruction tooperate the driving device 2 may be issued through a combination ofdetections performed by a plurality of ring shaped detection units. Morespecifically, (III) by operating the input unit P326R or the input unitP326L simultaneously with the input unit P326 b, an instruction forcausing the object to retreat in the rightward direction or the leftwarddirection (or, depending on settings, an instruction for causing theobject to retreat from the rightward direction or the leftwarddirection) can be issued.

[Electric Configuration]

The electric configuration of the operating device shown in FIG. 10 isidentical to that of the operating device shown in FIG. 7 apart fromconstitutions relating to the aforesaid items (I) to (III). Therefore,the constitutions relating to items (I) to (III) will now be described.

[A] Re: Constitutions Relating to Items (I) and (II) First Example

The position of the reference member J is set as a specific position,and it is assumed that three input units P322 [1], P322 [2], and P322[3], for example, exist relative to the ring shaped detection unit 322(see FIG. 13( a)). It is assumed initially that the reference member Jhas been detected by a kth detection unit 322 [k] of the ring shapeddetection unit 322, and therefore the input unit P322 [1] is disposed ina position removed from the position of the reference member J aroundthe circumference of the interior casing 31 i (assuming that thecounterclockwise direction corresponds to a positive (+) direction) byn1 detection unit, the input unit P322 [2] is disposed in a positionremoved by n2 detection units, and the input unit P322 [3] is disposedin a position removed by n3 detection units. In other words, the inputunits P322 [1], P322 [2], and P322 [3] are initially disposed inpositions corresponding respectively to detection units 322 [k+n1], 322[k+n2], and 322 [k+n3].

When, at this time, the exterior casing 31 o is rotated in a negative(−) direction relative to the interior casing 31 i such that a detectionunit 322 [k+p] detects the reference member J, the input units P322 [1],P322 [2], and P322 [3] shift to positions corresponding respectively todetection units 322 [k+p+n1], 322 [k+p+n2], and 322 [k+p+n3] (where p isan arbitrary integer).

This means that even when the exterior casing 31 o is rotated relativeto the interior casing 31 i, i.e. even when the three input units P322[1], P322 [2], P322 [3] are rotated relative to the ring shapeddetection unit 322, the operation input generated when the input unitsP322 [1], P322 [2], P322 [3] are operated can be detected as operationinput corresponding to the three functions (F1, F2, F3, for example) setin relation to the respective input units P322 [1], P322 [2], P322 [3].Further, the functions corresponding to the operation input can be setin accordance with the number of input units disposed in the arrangementof a single ring shaped detection unit, and even when a first input unitand a second input unit disposed in the arrangement of the single ringshaped detection unit are operated simultaneously, the resultingoperation input can be detected respectively.

Second Example

The position of the reference member J is set as a specific position,and it is assumed that three input units P32U [1], P32U [2], and P32U[3], for example, exist relative to an arbitrary ring shaped detectionunit 32U other than the ring shaped detection unit 322 (see FIG. 13(b)). It is assumed initially that the reference member J has beendetected by a kth detection unit 32U [h] of the ring shaped detectionunit 32U, and therefore the input unit P32U [1] is disposed in aposition removed from the position of the reference member J in thepositive direction by m1 detection unit, the input unit P32U [2] isdisposed in a position removed by m2 detection units, and the input unitP32U [3] is disposed in a position removed by m3 detection units. Inother words, the input units P32U [1], P32U [2], and P32U [3] areinitially disposed in positions corresponding respectively to detectionunits 32U [h+m1], 32U [h+m2], and 32U [h+m3].

When, at this time, the exterior casing 31 o is rotated in the negativedirection relative to the interior casing 31 i such that a detectionunit 322 [h+q] detects the reference member J, the input units P322 [1],P322 [2], and P322 [3] shift to positions corresponding respectively todetection units 322 [h+q+m1], 322 [h+q+m2], and 322 [h+q+m3] (where q isan arbitrary integer).

This means that even when the exterior casing 31 o is rotated relativeto the interior casing 31 i, i.e. even when the three input units P32U[1], P32U [2], P32U [3] are rotated relative to the ring shapeddetection unit 32U, the operation input generated when the input unitsP32U [1], P32U [2], P32U [3] are operated can be detected as operationinput corresponding to the three functions set in relation to therespective input units P32U [1], P32U [2], P32U [3]. Further, thefunctions corresponding to the operation input can be set in accordancewith the number of the plurality of ring shaped detection units providedin the single casing and the number of input units disposed in therespective arrangements of the plurality of ring shaped detection units,and even when a first input unit disposed in an arrangement of a firstring shaped detection unit and a second input unit disposed in anarrangement of a second ring shaped detection unit are operatedsimultaneously, the resulting operation input can be detectedrespectively.

Hence, by setting the specific position of the exterior casing 31 o inadvance, coordinates (disposal positions) of the input units P32 can bedetermined on the basis of the specific position. Therefore, byperforming the processing for associating the input units with thedetection units in the microcomputer 33 on the basis of the specificposition, as in the two examples described above, the operator can issuean instruction to operate the driving device 2 even when a plurality ofinput units are provided for one or a plurality of ring shaped detectionunits (as in items (I) and (II)) by operating the respective inputunits.

Note that the processing for associating the input units with thedetection units on the basis of the specific position, as in the twoexamples described above, may be realized in the microcomputer using acircuit or software. Further, this processing need only be executed bythe microcomputer 33 but may also be executed by the microcomputer 53.

[B] Re: Constitution Relating to (III)

The processing for issuing an instruction to operate the driving device2 through a combination of detections performed by a plurality of ringshaped detection units may be realized in the microcomputer using acircuit or software. Further, this processing need only be executed bythe microcomputer 33 but may also be executed by the microcomputer 53.

[Summary]

According to the eighth embodiment, identical effects to the fifthembodiment can be obtained. In addition, even when a plurality of inputunits are provided for a single ring shaped detection unit, the operatorcan issue an instruction to operate the driving device 2 by operatingthe respective input units. This means that in an operating devicerequiring a fixed number of input units, the number of ring shapeddetection units can be kept small or that the number of input units canbe increased without increasing the number of ring shaped detectionunits, which helps in simplifying the internal structure of theoperating device, reducing the number of components of the operatingdevice, facilitating assembly, and reducing cost. Furthermore, increasesand reductions in the number of input units can be responded toflexibly, which is advantageous in terms of design.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, by extending a tip end of an input unitP32 [n] in an nth position from the preset specific position (theposition of the reference member J, for example), from among thedetection units constituting the ring shaped detection unit 32, from theposition of the reference member J to a position Z corresponding to acertain detection unit 32 [v] in a with position using a wire Lv or thelike, operation input from the input unit P32 [n] can be detected by thedetection unit 32 [v]. With this constitution, even when one or aplurality of inputs units other than P32 [n] is disposed in an nthposition from the position of the reference member J in a perpendiculardirection to a paper surface, the tip ends of the input units can beextended to positions corresponding respectively to a detection unit 32[v 1] or subsequent detection units 32 [v 2], 32 [v 3], . . . in a v1thposition or a subsequent v2th, v3th, . . . position using wires or thelike, and therefore operation input from an input unit other than P32[n] in the same nth position can be detected by the detection unit 32 [v1] or the subsequent detection units 32 [v 2], 32 [v 3], . . . . Thismeans that even with an operating device in which a fixed number ofinput units must be disposed in the perpendicular direction to the papersurface, the number of ring shaped detection units can be kept small orthat the number of input units can be increased without increasing thenumber of ring shaped detection units, whereby similar effects to thosedescribed above can be obtained.

(Supplement 1: Ring Shaped Detection Unit)

(1) FIGS. 11 and 12 are sectional views respectively showing basicconstitutions of the ring shaped detection unit 322 and the other ringshaped detection units 321, 323, 324, . . . (to be referred to hereaftercollectively or individually using the reference symbol “32U”; thecorresponding input unit will be referred to using the reference symbol“P32U”). As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the ring shaped detection unit 32(322, 32U) is arranged over a partial or entire range of thecircumference of the casing 31. Here, “a partial range of thecircumference” means a circumferential range other than a range W. Whena plurality of detection units are arranged in this range, the detectionunits form an open ring shape or an arc shape. The magnitude of therange W depends on the design of the operating device 3. A case in whichthe range W is absent corresponds to “the total range of thecircumference”, in which the detection units are disposed in a closedring shape.

The detection unit includes a wide range of mechanisms and means fordetecting operation input from the operator using the operating device,and since the approach or contact of the reference member J correspondsto the operation input generated by the operator of the operatingdevice, the reference member J may be considered equivalent to an inputunit.

(2) Re: Ring Shaped Detection Unit 322

The ring shaped detection unit 322 detects the approach or contact ofthe reference member J attached to the jacket member D. Note that if thecasing 31 is positioned as the interior casing 31 i, the jacket member Dcorresponds to the exterior casing 31 o.

Object movement directions are associated in advance with the detectionunits constituting the ring shaped detection unit 322. Accordingly, thering shaped detection unit 322, having detected the reference member J,generates a signal corresponding to the object movement directionassociated with the detection unit that detected the reference member J(this signal is transmitted to the microcomputer 33).

The system employed by the ring shaped detection unit 322 to detect thereference member J may be a non-contact system (see FIG. 11( a)) or acontact system (see FIG. 11( b)). In the case of a non-contact system, amagnetic sensor and a member that is attached to the jacket member D andincludes a magnetic body serve as examples of the ring shaped detectionunit and the reference member J, while in the case of a contact system,a pressure sensitive sensor and a wheeled projecting member attached tothe jacket member D so as to face the pressure sensitive sensor serve asexamples of the ring shaped detection unit and the reference member J.

The ring shaped detection unit 322 is attached to an outer surface 31 cof the casing 31 but may be buried in the outer surface 31 c so as to beattached in a position on an inner surface 31 b side of the outersurface 31 c. The ring shaped detection unit 322 may also be attached tothe inner surface 31 b as long as it remains able to detect the approachof the reference member J.

Positional relationships between the reference member J and thedetection units attached to the jacket member D, the intervals betweenadjacent detection units, and so on, as well as the size, shape, and soon of the reference member J are designed so that one of the detectionunits detects operation input from the reference member J at all times.

The outer surface of each detection unit constituting the ring shapeddetection unit 322 is covered by the protective sheet S. The protectivesheet S is useful for improving the dust resistance, water resistance,other sealing properties, and shock resistance of the ring shapeddetection unit, increasing the life of the ring shaped detection unit,and so on. The protective sheet S is particularly useful for protectingthe detection units in a case where the detection units detect thereference member J using a contact system (see FIG. 11( b)). However,the ring shaped detection unit 322 is already protected to a certainextent by the jacket member D, and therefore the protective sheet S isnot essential in a case where the detection units detect the referencemember J using a non-contact system (see FIG. 11( a)).

(2) Re: Ring Shaped Detection Unit 32U

The individual detection units constituting the ring shaped detectionunit 32U differ from those of the ring shaped detection unit 322 in thatthey are not associated with object movement directions. Instead, thering shaped detection unit 32U detects operation input from the inputunit P32U and generates a signal corresponding to the operation input(whereupon the signal is transmitted to the microcomputer 33).

Note that the input unit P32U shown in FIG. 12 is a push button typeunit, for example.

Further, the detection system employed by the ring shaped detection unit32U may be a non-contact system (see FIG. 12( a)) or a contact system(see FIG. 12( b)). An example of the ring shaped detection unit 32U andthe input unit P32U shown in FIG. 12( a) is a magnetic sensor thatdetects the approach of a magnetic body and a push button that includesa magnetic body and is attached to the jacket member D to be capable ofapproaching and moving away from the magnetic sensor elastically, whilean example shown in FIG. 12( b) is a pressure sensitive sensor and apush button that includes a wheeled projecting member and is attached tothe jacket member D so as to be pushed toward the pressure sensitivesensor.

(3) Re: Operating Switch

When a combination of the ring shaped detection unit 32 and either thereference member J or the input unit P32 is set as an operating switchT, the ring shaped detection unit 322, from among the plurality of ringshaped detection units shown in FIG. 7, for example, constitutes anoperating switch T322 in combination with the reference member J, whilethe other ring shaped detection units 321, 323, 324, 325 respectivelyconstitute operating switches T321, T323, T324, T325 in combination withthe respective input units P321, P323, P324, P325.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, individual arbitrary detection units322 x, 32Ux constituting the respective ring shaped detection units 322,32U are not formed integrally with an input unit such as a push button.Instead, the reference member J functions as the input unit P322 x ofthe detection unit 322 x, while the input unit P32U functions as theinput unit P32Ux of the arbitrary detection unit 32Ux. Hence, in thisexample, the arbitrary detection units 322 x, 32Ux constitute operatingswitches in combination with the reference member J and the detectionunit 322 x, respectively.

In the example shown in FIG. 12, on the other hand, the arbitrarydetection units 322 x, 32Ux are already combined integrally with theinput units P322 x, P32Ux, respectively, to form single operatingswitches. Note that in this example, the reference member J and theinput unit P32U transmit operation input to the input units P322 x,P32Ux through direct contact with the respective input units, whereuponthe input from these input units is detected by the detection units 322x, 32Ux. Therefore, the reference member J and the input unit P32Urespectively function simultaneously as the input units P322 x, P32Ux ofthe arbitrary detection units 322 x, 32Ux and the input units P322,P32Ux of the ring shaped detection units 322, 32U.

(Re: Supplement 2 to Eighth Embodiment)

An operating device shown in FIG. 15 is a specific example of the eighthembodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, on the exterior casing 31 o, a tip endof the input unit 326 b is extended to a position V1 of the detectionunit 321 a by a wire or the like. Similarly, the input unit P321 b isextended to a position V2 of the detection unit 321 a, and the inputunits P325W, P325N, P325S are extended respectively to positions V3, V4,V5 of the detection unit 325E. As a result, the detection unit 326 b,the detection unit 321 b, and the detection units 325W, 325N, 325S canbe aggregated with the detection unit 326 a, the detection unit 321 a,and the detection unit 325E, respectively, whereby five ring shapeddetection units can be eliminated. Hence, in comparison with theoperating device shown in FIG. 10, the operating device shown in FIG. 15has a clearly simplified internal structure and a reduced number ofcomponents. Therefore, assembly and design are facilitated and cost isreduced.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate the display unit 100 described with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2.

The display unit 100 is not limited to any specific technical means aslong as it is capable of displaying comparatively large directions.Preferably, however, various devices, such as a liquid crystal displaydevice, a display device that displays directions optically in the formof arrows or the like using an LED (light emitting diode), or a devicethat uses segments generated by EL, a photoelectric tube, and so on, maybe applied.

More specifically, as shown by a display unit 100-1 in FIG. 16, adisplay unit 100-2 in FIG. 17, and so on, display means combining adirection display in the form of an arrow and a display part consistingof alphabetic characters (in this case, “UP” and “DOWN” written inEnglish), as indicated by reference symbols 100-1 a, 100-1 b, 100-2 a,100-2 b, may be employed.

When, for example, a signal from the operating device 30 is input viathe microcomputer 53, the display unit 100-2 shown in FIG. 17, forexample, varies a display color (blue, for example) displayed at thestage of direction selection and a display color (red, for example)displayed as the traveling body 9 moves (including driving of thehoist). As a result, peripheral people can be informed of the actualmovement timing and warned gradually.

Alternatively, for example, the display may be modified such that whenmovement of the traveling body 9 or the like is instructed in accordancewith a command from the operating device 3, the arrow is caused toflash, and when movement is executed, the arrow is illuminated.

It is particularly important that at least a part of the displaygenerated by the display unit 100, for example the direction display notincluding the alphabetic characters, can change in response to aninstruction from the microcomputer 53 shown in FIG. 3 synchronously withthe display generated by the display means of the operating devicedescribed with reference to FIG. 8. In other words, when the displaymeans 100 (see FIG. 1) displays an image and alphabetic characters aredisplayed on the image display, [the direction display] can change inaccordance with the change in the display of alphabetic characters andso on.

As a result, the operator operating the operating device 3 and peoplearound the operator viewing the display unit 100 can grasp informationrelating to movement of the traveling body 9 and so on in perfectsynchronization, which is effective in preventing onsite accidents andthe like caused by differences in [the information] recognized by theoperator and the people around the operator.

In particular, when the crane is carrying an object for conveyance suchas a large package onsite, the field of vision of the people around theoperator may be blocked in low onsite positions. As a result, adangerous situation in which these people cannot predict the movementdirection of the package may arise.

However, by disposing the display unit 100 in a position of maximumheight in the operating site, as described above, the operator and thepeople around the operator can share [information] relating to themovement direction of the package and so on in real time, and thereforedanger can be avoided effectively.

Further, in the case of FIG. 16 in particular, the display surface ofthe display unit is constituted by a dome-shaped, downward-projectingcurved surface rather than a flat surface and can therefore by viewedfrom a wider range of the space in which the overhead crane is disposed.

Furthermore, the display unit may be provided in the vicinity of anintermediate position in the length direction of the Y direction rail 4,as shown by a reference symbol 100-3 in FIG. 1.

In so doing, the operator and the people around the operator can viewthe display unit 100-3 from a maximum range of the operating area,enabling an improvement in safety.

According to the constitutions described above, the operator operatingthe overhead crane 1 shown in FIG. 1 lowers the hook 7 by pressing ahoisting switch of the operating device 3 to activate the Z axis motor43, latches the hook 7 to an object for conveyance placed on the floorsurface, and then activates the Z axis motor 43 by pressing the hoistingbutton so that the supporting wire rope 6 hoists the object forconveyance to a height at which movement thereof in a horizontaldirection is not impeded. Next, the operator moves the casing 31 in thedirection in which the object for conveyance is to be moved and makessmall adjustments to the orientation of the casing 31 by lightlypressing a travel button while observing the object for conveyance thatmoves while latched to the hook 7. Thus, the object for conveyance canbe moved in parallel in the desired direction.

Next, an example of a case in which the operating device 3 employs awireless system will be described briefly.

An embodiment employing a wireless system includes a reference positionadjustment unit 70 shown in FIG. 18( a).

In the constitution shown in FIG. 1, for example, the motor drivingcontrol device 5 is provided on the ceiling side, and therefore thereference position adjustment unit 70 is required to determine areference position thereof relative to the operating device 3, theposition of which varies randomly, without using the communication cable8. The reason for this is that positional deviation in the relativeposition must be corrected constantly.

When a wireless system is employed, various types of remotecommunication means, such as infrared optical communication, can be usedto transmit operation signals as well as wireless radio waves on variousbands.

Further, the operating device 3 is preferably imported into the room inwhich the overhead crane is installed using close-range wirelesscommunication technology such as Bluetooth, for example, such that whenthe operating device 3 approaches a reception unit 143, close-rangewireless communication is activated and a mutual protocol isestablished, after which the operating device 10-1 can be operated.

By executing an operation on the operating device 3 using a dedicatedprotocol in this manner, malfunctions caused by wireless noise and thelike can be prevented reliably.

Here, close-range wireless communication means such as Bluetooth isincorporated into an issuing device 74 and the reception unit 143.

Alternatively, an instruction button 75 may be provided on the operatingdevice 3, a button for starting reference position adjustment, or inother words calibration, may be provided on the instruction button 75,and instead of the automatic reference position setting described above,the operator may perform reference position setting to be describedbelow by operating the reference position setting button at the start ofuse.

As shown in FIG. 13, the radio wave issuing device 74 is built into theoperating device 3 and the radio wave reception unit 143 is built intothe hoist so that when the instruction button 75 of the operating device3 is operated, corresponding data are converted into a wireless signaland issued from the issuing device 74 in the form of a radio wave. Thereception unit 143 receives the radio wave, converts the received radiowave into an electric signal, and inputs the electric signal into aninput/output (I/O) port of the microcomputer 53 in the motor drivingcontrol device 5. Thus, movement control is performed on the travelingbody 9 and the hook 7 serving as moving bodies.

In this embodiment, a microcomputer 73 is also built into the operatingdevice 3, and the microcomputer 73, similarly to the microcomputer 25,includes a CPU (central processing unit), memory devices such as a ROMand a RAM, and an input/output (I/O) device. Further, a voltage gyro 91and a geomagnetic sensor 95 are built into the operating device 3, and abearing of the operating device 3 is detected by the voltage gyro 91 inaccordance with rotation of the operating device 3 by the operator.

In this embodiment, a reference signal generation unit 71 that issues areference signal in accordance with an instruction from the motordriving control device 5 side is provided. The reference signal from thereference signal generation unit is received by a reference signalreception unit 72 provided in the operating device 3. The signalreceived by the reference signal reception unit 72 is input into thereference position setting unit 76 via the microcomputer 73 in order tocorrect errors in positional information, such as the direction andorientation of the operating device 3, determined by the voltage gyro 91and the geomagnetic sensor 95, and determine the reference position.Following reference position setting, the operating device 3 issues adriving instruction to the traveling body 9 and the hook 7.

Referring to FIG. 18( b), the constitution of the reference positionadjustment unit 70 serving as a reference position adjustment mechanismwill now be described.

In the drawing, the reference signal generation unit 71 is constitutedby predetermined linear polarization generating means, for example, aswill be described below. The reference signal generation unit 71 forgenerating linearly polarized light having a polarization plane in afixed orientation as the reference signal, the reference signalreception unit 72 for receiving the reference signal from the referencesignal generation unit 71, a light reception unit 82 for receiving anoptical signal taken in by the reception unit 72 and generating asignal, and the microcomputer 73 for receiving and processing the signalfrom the light reception unit 82 are provided. The reference positionsetting unit 76 shown in FIG. 18( a) can be constituted by an LED (lightemitting diode) lamp or the like upon reception of a command from themicrocomputer 73. The LED is illuminated when the operating device 3 isrecognized as being disposed in the reference position. Accordingly, atravel instruction issuing operation can be started by the operatingdevice 3 in this position.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, the reference signal generationunit 71 is disposed on the X direction rails 2A, 2B or the Y directionrail 4 of the crane shown in FIG. 1, for example, so as to emit lightserving as the reference signal downward. In this case, a polarizationfilter 71 a, for example, is provided in a reference light emission unitin order to convert light from a light source provided to the rear, notshown in the drawing, or natural light into linearly polarized lighthaving a Y direction polarization plane.

A filter 72 through which only Y direction linearly polarized lightpasses is disposed on the outer surface of the operating device 3, andwhen light passing through the filter 72 enters the light receivingelement 82, the light receiving element 82 generates an electric signalthrough a photoelectric conversion action. The electric signal is thentransmitted to the microcomputer 73.

In this process, as shown in FIG. 20, the linearly polarized light isemitted from the reference signal generation means 71 in the vicinity ofthe ceiling on the device side, while the filter for passing onlylinearly polarized light and the light receiving element for receivingthe light that passes through the filter are provided on the operatingdevice 3. The operator waits for the LED, for example, serving as thereference position setting unit to light up while varying theorientation of the operating device below the crane.

FIG. 21 illustrates this process in further detail. A device that emitslight using pulse control as a light source is preferably employed asthe reference signal generation unit. The microcomputer 73 on theoperating device 3 side performs reference position setting inaccordance with signals of a predetermined pulse period, and thereforenoise caused by stray light such as ambient light can be removed.

The operator can set the reference position by rotating the operatingdevice 3 horizontally in the Y direction (see FIG. 20) to an orientationthat matches the polarization plane of the reference light. In thiscase, the light reception unit passes a signal intensity peak every timeit is rotated 180°, but south and north directions and so on can bedifferentiated from each other easily by the pre-inbuilt gyro 91 or thelike.

Note that the microcomputer 73 of the operating device 3 has inbuiltclock means (a timer) so that when calibration, or in other wordsreference position setting, is not performed at fixed time intervals,the operator can be notified of movement of the operating device 3 bycausing the LED lamp 76 to flash or the like. Thus, the operationinstruction issued from the operating device 3 can be kept accurate atall times.

According to the present invention, as described above, an operatingdevice exhibiting superior dust resistance and water resistance, and inparticular an operating device having a simplified structure and amoving apparatus including the operating device, can be realized.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments andmodified examples described above. Further, some of the embodiments andmodified examples described above may be combined with each other,partially combined with each other, or combined with other technicalelements not described.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   1 moving apparatus-   2 driving device-   3 operating device-   4 driving motor-   5 motor driving control device-   31 casing-   32 detection unit-   33 microcomputer-   34 output end portion-   41 X axis motor-   42 Y axis motor-   43 Z axis motor-   51 inverter or contactor-   52 inverter or contactor-   53 microcomputer-   54 input end portion-   3 i interior casing-   3 o exterior casing-   322 detection unit group-   D jacket member-   J reference member

1. An operating device comprising: a detection unit for detecting inputrelating to an instruction to operate a driving device that drivesmovement of an object; and a casing, characterized in that a pluralityof the detection units are arranged over a partial or entire range of acircumference of the casing in accordance with movement directions ofthe object.
 2. The operating device according to claim 1, comprising ajacket member that covers the detection units.
 3. The operating deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the jacket member is capableof rotating around the circumference of the casing at least within therange in which the detection units are arranged.
 4. The operating deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that an input unit for inputtingthe input is provided on the jacket member.
 5. The operating deviceaccording to claim 1, comprising a small adjustment input detection unitfor detecting input relating to an instruction to correct the movementdirection of the object.
 6. The operating device according to claim 1,characterized in that the casing includes: an interior casing having asurface on which the detection units are provided; and an exteriorcasing that accommodates the interior casing, is formed to be free torotate relative to the interior casing on an outer side thereof, and hasan inner surface on which a reference member that serves as ON meansrelative to the detection units on the interior casing is provided. 7.The operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that anilluminating device for forming a light spot is disposed in a locationexposed to the exterior of the casing on a surface that corresponds toan opposite side to an operator, as a notification unit for providingnotification of a travel direction of a traveling body that is moved bythe driving device.
 8. The operating device according to claim 1,characterized in that a display unit for displaying, in a visuallycomprehensible manner, information relating to a displacement amountwhen an orientation of the object moved by the driving device ismodified or information relating to an advancement direction of theobject is fixed to a traveling body that travels together with theobject, in at least a region excluding an outer surface of the casing.9. A moving apparatus comprising: a driving device used to move anobject; and an operating device for manipulating an operation of thedriving device, characterized in that the operating device is theoperating device according to claim 1.